{% include "includes/auth/janrain/signIn_traditional.html" with message='It looks like you are already verified. If you still have trouble signing in, you probably need a new confirmation link email.' %}

BREAKING: Roquan Smith’s coach on what the heck is going on with UCLA vs. UGA

UPDATE (5:42 p.m Wednesday): Roquan Smith’s coach told the AJC on Wednesday evening that Smith has re-opened his recruitment, and will take a couple of days to figure things out. “He’s going to open things up with his recruiting,” Macon County’s Larry Harold said. “It’s pretty much UGA, Michigan, and Texas A&M – and UCLA is still in it. Coach Ulbrich told him that he hasn’t signed anything yet (with the Falcons), and that he hasn’t made a decision. So I think they are still in it as well. We’re going to sit back for a couple of days and see how this thing plays out.”

If Roquan Smith doesn’t sign with UCLA, the Bruins can blame Macon County High School’s football fans, reporters who ask too many questions – and UGA’s football coaches.

Signing Day was all supposed to be so simple for the 4-star linebacker who is rated as the state’s No. 5 overall college prospect.

In front of ESPN cameras on Wednesday, Smith stated his intentions to sign with UCLA, breaking the heart of his runner-up school, UGA.

This was a big deal for the hundreds of people from the small Georgia town of Montezuma who had gathered to hear the future plans of their most famous citizen

Macon County’s signing ceremony ran a little long. And when it was over, people lined up to get their picture taken with Smith. After that, Smith patiently answered endless questions from crowd of media there mostly to cover it from the UGA angle.

Things were taking so long that UCLA coaches began to call Smith’s coach to see what the holdup was. Smith had committed to the Bruins on national TV, but he had yet to sign the official paperwork. UCLA wanted the paperwork because kids are kids – and they can change their minds in a hurry.

So just as Roquan and his coach started finishing up the paperwork to send to UCLA, they noticed their cells were getting blown up by UGA’s coaches.

How about this for timing? There were reports surfacing that UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was joining the Atlanta Falcons as a linebackers coach. Smith’s relationship with Ulbrich was the reason he committed to UCLA over UGA.

And that’s why Smith, committed to UCLA but unsigned, remained unsure of his college plans on Wednesday afternoon.

Here’s a Q&A with Macon County coach Larry Harold:

What’s the latest? “It’s crazy today. We just got the news on Coach Ulbrich getting the offer from the Atlanta Falcons. Roquan just holding his UCLA papers to see what Coach Ulbrich is going to do. We’re just sitting tight right now.”

Take me through what happened? “A lot had to do with that we had a long ceremony. I don’t know if you saw all the people. He was taking a lot of pictures, and then he did a bunch of media interviews. It took a while to do all of that, and the UCLA coaches were calling to ask about the paper. At that time, the news was breaking about Coach Ulbrich and the Falcons. We’re holding onto the papers to see what Coach Ulbrich is going to do. We’re mulling over the options.”

How did Roquan find out about the report on Ulbrich and the Falcons? “He found out from the UGA coaches about it. It was real smart by them. They called him and said ‘Check this ASAP.”

What about UCLA and Ulbrich? “We just got off the phone with Ulbrich. He said he hasn’t signed any papers with the Falcons. So he talked to Roquan, and he let him know that he was going to check into everything and get back to him.”

Did Ulbrich confirm that he had an offer from the Falcons? “Yes, he did confirm that with us that he did have an offer. He was very candid and honest. He just hated that it broke on Social Media before he had the chance to call.”

How big did Ulbrich factor into Roquan’s choice of UCLA over UGA? “That’s what his decision to UCLA came down to – Roquan’s relationship with Ulbrich. That’s what it came down to as the difference between UGA and UCLA. He has been there since the first day. Recruiting is about the relationships. It always comes down to the relationships.”

Where do things go from here? “If I knew, I wish I could tell you. We are just going to sit tight and see how everything develops. A lot of these coaches want kids to commit early, and then they do a lot of fooling around. It’s the coaches either getting hired or fired – it makes the whole process much more difficult. That’s how Texas A&M and Michigan came in (due to coaching changes). It’s just crazy, and it affects the lives of these young men because they get used to one coach at one school. And then that coach moves to another school, and it changes everything for the kids.”

What is UGA telling you? “They said ‘We aren’t going anywhere.’ They did a great job of recruiting Roquan. It was just about the relationship with Coach Ulbrich. We’re going to see if he accepts the job before we move forward with anything We’re going to see what happens.”

If Ulbrich stays at UCLA, does Roquan sign with UCLA? “Pretty much. But don’t say that because then everybody is going to pray he comes to the Falcons.”

What is Roquan’s mindset right now? “He was glad everything was over and he had made his decision for UCLA. And now he’s like … there’s all this new stuff. This is a lot on a young man. I feel sorry for him. It’s just one of those things that is new for us. It’s like a soap opera.”

View Comments
0

Roquan, I'm a UCLA fan, having been one since the day my brother (who was playing freshman ball at UCLA at the time) took me to a UCLA-USC game in 1965. I was a kid. It was my first college game. UCLA came from behind beating USC in the 4th quarter. I have been an avid fan since. Over the years - especially in the late 60s and early 70s - I suffered much when UCLA lost to USC, even at times when UCLA had a better team ('67 for example). SC has always been this bully in Los Angeles. Us Bruin fans long for the day when we return to being a legit powerhouse. It seems like we are almost there.

Roquan, please keep UCLA in your consideration, even if Ulbrich is not the DC. UCLA will get a highly qualified coach who will equally or even better able to develop your skills. L.A. is a great place. With the rivalry of SC and UCLA building up again there will be a great deal of big time media attention on the teams.

Bottom line, UCLA and Los Angeles would love to have you. Please don't make your decision solely on the basis of one coach. Hopefully Ulbrich will stay, but if not, there's still a great draw for you to come west to UCLA. It seems like you would get along well with guys like Myles Jack. You have a great offense with Josh Rosen coming on as QB, Soso Jamabo at running back (with already a great runner in Paul Perkins).

Anyway, ask the Lord God what you should do. I know it is not a good sign to have the coach that worked in recruiting you to take another job (but not yet!), but as I said, there is something very good going on here at UCLA and you could have a great part of something big. Maybe you will be the next Bruin to win the Butkus trophy!

@Robert1124 Pathetic ramblings of a 50+ year old man. I lived in L.A. for two years and it was awful. You can't breathe, there is traffic everywhere, especially around the UCLA area. It is simple, if you want to live your life in Georgia, then go to UGA, make the necessary connections and you are set after your post-football career. People in California only care about what you have done for them lately. It is all about 15 minutes of fame there. But if you don't seeing yourself settling down long-term in Georgia, then it is not as important where you go.

@Katie Hill@Robert1124 . 50 year old man? Are we discriminating here? UCLA and LA in general has produced countless numbers of NFL superstars, not to mention other sports. It's the one of the biggest hubs in the entire world. Not to put down Georgia, but LA is THE place!

Well young man, first, I wish you the best in whatever choice you make. What a tough situation that you didn't deserve to get tangled up in.

Come up North and get your education from one of the premier universities in the world. You can also be coached by a guy who had an NFL team in the Super Bowl just a couple years ago. Playing in front of the largest crowd in college football each home game is special too. You can also play a part in returning Michigan back to it's rightful place as a national powerhouse and leave a tremendous legacy. Come to Michigan!

Not holding my breath for him. After UCLA was 'less than upfront' with the kid in regards to the coach probably leaving for the Falcons, and he still didn't go with UGA then, then it looks to me like he doesn't plan on going to UGA. If it isn't UCLA, I expect him to sign with another school - not UGA. UGA will always be his bridesmaid, never the bride.

@SomewherenSGa Not true, somewherenSGa. Coaches always get offers from other opportunities. Nothing suggests that UCLA was "only thinking of themselves." Your comment as well as others should cause Roquan to realize that you and others are only trying to throw a smoke screen in his eyes. Let the dust settle and allow the young man to make a decision as to where it would be best for him to play ball. Frankly, I think Roquan would benefit from a change in location. Los Angeles is a great, diverse place. Lots of crud, that's for certain, but also unequal opportunity for a young man to grow in many aspects of life. May the Lord give Roquan wisdom to decide.

Follow you heart! UGA will take you to the next level. And , your family will be able to watch you play more often close to home. You will NOT regret being a football player at the University of Georgia. And, you will be supporting you home state too !

If I was you I would still go to UCLA but since I'm not you... take your time and to decide. With your ability you can go where you wish... Don't go because of a coach who maybe gone at anytime. Best wishes.

@58Supersports Absolutely, let the young man make up his mind and as many other players are saying commit to the school not the coach over 3 - 4 years who knows what assistants will move from any top school.

"There were reports surfacing that UCLA defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was joining the Atlanta Falcons as a linebackers coach. Smith’s relationship with Ulbrich was the reason he committed to UCLA over UGA."

Man your hatred for UGA really has blinders on your eyes! Smith wanted to go to UCLA to play for Jeff Ulbrich, someone jumped the gun and announced his leaving to go to the Falcons, BEFORE all the LOIs were in, OOPS! Regardless of who told the kid, the fact is he found out his coach was bailing on him before he even got to campus.

So what would you be saying if he re-opened his recruitment because the Bruins were upfront and honest with the kid? Exposing the truth does not make one a sleazebag. Your problem seems to be where and who the information came from. Well guess what if they had been upfront and honest with the kid he might have signed anyway, now there are trust issues with the Bruins, and can you blame him?

@UnbiasedObserver Well UCLA was going to allow the LOI to be delivered before announcing that their DC was leaving. Wonder why they would do this? Hmmmmmmm...

What is UGA supposed to do with that information? Sit on it??? Please. They did nothing illegal or against the rules.

Who is the sleeze? The coach that allows the kids to sign and then tell them that the DC is leaving or the perceived 2nd place team alerting the athlete to the truth...which was going to come out anyway...just after he had signed.

I don't think he will sign with UGA. If UGA had strong consideration from Smith, then he would likely have flipped after he found out about the LB coach situation. The fact that he is still considering Michigan and Texas A&M tells me he really wants to leave the state to play. There's not much Richt can do about that.

@UnbiasedObserver Yeah the UGA coaches were sleazebags for telling a kid the TRUTH that the ONE person that was the reason for him to commit and go across the country to play ball, was about to sign him and say,"Good luck Roquan, I'm off to the Falcons!" Sir/ma'am you hardly qualify as an UNBIASED observer.

Don't you think it's pretty sleazy to know that you built a relationship with a kid, gained his trust, and that you are the MAIN reason he's choosing your school only to walk out on him before he even sets foot on campus?!. Ulbrich was probably told to hold off on his announcement. That's why the UCLA coaches were blowing up the coaches phone trying to get the signed letter of intent before the announcement hit. They knew the announcement was about to break so they wanted to back this kid into a corner. So call the UGA coaches sleazy if you want, but you certainly can't call them sleazy without calling the UCLA coaches out as well.

@TOJacket@UnbiasedObserver@JaxDawg34 And you guys have your own mental issues to deal with. Why are you SO OBSESSED with ANY AND EVERYTHING UGA?! UGA makes a coaching move, Techies got a comment, UGA signs a kid, Techies got a comment, UGA misses on a kid, Techies got a comment, UGA wins a game Techies got a comment, UGA loses a game, Techies got a comment, Mark Richt breaks wind, Techies got a comment. Do you guys and/or girls have any idea how pathetic you look with you envy and hatred of all things UGA. I mean for pete's sake, you guys have even resorted to pretending to be fans of other teams! EVERYONE knows OH-IO isn't a real Buckeye fan. Ohio St was the flavor of the month when he/she switched their handle. You guys change posting names. Now I'm not going to sit here and say I've never visited another school's fan site, but usually there was a purpose, like to find out about a player UGA will be facing or if we're in a recruiting battle with someone, you know normal reasons someone would visit another team's site. Not to just troll and spew kindergarten level venom. But hey I can't blame you guys for wanting Richt gone, if we were 12-2 against Tech I'd want him gone too. LOL at you not with you! Get a life and get over your overall butthurt and enjoy your 2nd win and overall the 14% winning percentage GT owns against UGA since Richt's arrival.

@UnbiasedObserver@hardworkinman Read the article again. Coach says Ulbrich was THE reason he chose UCLA. If that's not the case, then why is he reconsidering once he found out the coach may leave? Because he was lied to and he doesn't trust the UCLA coaches now and neither would I.

@UnbiasedObserver Because they unveiled the truth? They owed it to Smith to tell him even if he doesn't go to UGA. His own coach said that Ulbrich was THE reason Smith chose UCLA, so if Ulbrich wasn't there, he wouldn't have chosen them.

Same logic applies if Ulbrich leaves. Smith wouldn't want to be there. He needed to have that information to make a life changing decision. The UCLA coaches knew what was going on and withheld the details hoping that Smith would send in his LOI. That's sleazebag material in my book.

This kid showed alot by putting a stop the the paperwork with UCLA. The tech fans on this blog are calling him a thug and low IQ because he isn't considering their school. But that is what makes them PJ's ball washers.